The Challenge Early College (CECHS) Mission
To graduate confident, ethically responsible, lifelong learners who are prepared to succeed in high education and be
productive citizens in our world.
The Challenge School Structure
A high-quality education at Challenge Early College starts with relationships. One of the major strengths of this school
is its' size. We personalize your child's education by supporting the development of meaningful, sustained relationships
among teachers and students. In study after study of successful small high schools, students compare their school to a
family rather than a factory and line their academic achievement to their caring relationships with teachers. Like many
successful small schools, CECHS has smaller classes for students and reduced pupil loads for teachers, so that the
young people and the adults in the school are well known to each other
CECHS students function in a college environment and will be guided by adult advocates to develop a sense of
responsibility for their own learning through work and life tools acquired in Advisory, Service Learning, independent
research projects and internships.
The Early College Model
An early college provides the high school-age students a "seamless" pathway from high school to college. Housed on
the HCCS campus, with articulated sharing of space and staff, CECHS allows the high school student to gradually
integrate into college course work through his or her traditional high school degree plan. This integration requires dual
enrollment, with the student having to show mastery of the knowledge and skills necessary for success (Compass or
another HCCS designated requisite test). Upon successful completion of the HISD standards for graduation, the student
may elect to leave CECHS for higher education, or they may chose to remain for an additional year. During this
additional year, the student will primarily be enrolled in college credit courses and given individualized support provided
by CECHS. Students who graduate from CECHS at the end of this additional year will potentially have, not only a Texas
Scholar diploma, but also will have accumulated 61 college credits, transferable to the post-secondary institution of their
choice. In both instances, CECHS will provide strong support to each student and the family in obtaining entrance to,
and success in, higher education.
Challenge Early College in the News
High School Teens Challenged At College Level Rachel McNeill. Dec. 20, 2007: They haven't even finished high school, but they are already ready for college. These teens are being challenged to excel. Click here.
U.S. News & World Report—in collaboration with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education and data research and analysis business that provides parents with education data on schoolmatters.com— analyzed academic and enrollment data from more than 18,000 public high schools to find the very best across the country. These top schools were placed into gold, silver, or bronze medal categories. Click here.
To graduate confident, ethically responsible, lifelong learners who are prepared to succeed in high education and be
productive citizens in our world.
The Challenge School Structure
A high-quality education at Challenge Early College starts with relationships. One of the major strengths of this school
is its' size. We personalize your child's education by supporting the development of meaningful, sustained relationships
among teachers and students. In study after study of successful small high schools, students compare their school to a
family rather than a factory and line their academic achievement to their caring relationships with teachers. Like many
successful small schools, CECHS has smaller classes for students and reduced pupil loads for teachers, so that the
young people and the adults in the school are well known to each other
CECHS students function in a college environment and will be guided by adult advocates to develop a sense of
responsibility for their own learning through work and life tools acquired in Advisory, Service Learning, independent
research projects and internships.
The Early College Model
An early college provides the high school-age students a "seamless" pathway from high school to college. Housed on
the HCCS campus, with articulated sharing of space and staff, CECHS allows the high school student to gradually
integrate into college course work through his or her traditional high school degree plan. This integration requires dual
enrollment, with the student having to show mastery of the knowledge and skills necessary for success (Compass or
another HCCS designated requisite test). Upon successful completion of the HISD standards for graduation, the student
may elect to leave CECHS for higher education, or they may chose to remain for an additional year. During this
additional year, the student will primarily be enrolled in college credit courses and given individualized support provided
by CECHS. Students who graduate from CECHS at the end of this additional year will potentially have, not only a Texas
Scholar diploma, but also will have accumulated 61 college credits, transferable to the post-secondary institution of their
choice. In both instances, CECHS will provide strong support to each student and the family in obtaining entrance to,
and success in, higher education.
Challenge Early College in the News
High School Teens Challenged At College Level Rachel McNeill. Dec. 20, 2007: They haven't even finished high school, but they are already ready for college. These teens are being challenged to excel. Click here.
U.S. News & World Report—in collaboration with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education and data research and analysis business that provides parents with education data on schoolmatters.com— analyzed academic and enrollment data from more than 18,000 public high schools to find the very best across the country. These top schools were placed into gold, silver, or bronze medal categories. Click here.
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